Mexico v Sweden Betting Tips & Preview

Mexico can make it three from three and top the group when they face Sweden.

Football Form Labs

|

Mon, 25 Jun, 1:39 PM

Mexico v Sweden – Thursday, 12:00, SBS OPTUS SPORT

Sweden can only make do with the full three points after losing at the death against the Germans, with Joachim Loew's charges unlikely to encounter further problems when facing the group’s weakest team in South Korea. However, the Scandinavians have struggled for goals of late with just three in their last seven matches, while both Sweden and Mexico have seen fewer than three goals in seven of their last nine matches respectively, so don’t expect an end-to-end encounter here.

The last time Sweden progressed beyond the group stages at a major tournament came back in 2006 when players like Ljungberg, Larsen and a young Ibrahimovic were kicking about. This time there are no stars, but a hard work ethic won't see them crumble should things not go their way. However, Mexico are in much better form, with six wins in their last nine – including four without conceding against European teams – and should have enough to unpick their opponents’ backline. Their recent tournament exploits have seen them go W4-D2-L1 across this World Cup and last summer’s Confederations Cup, with the two draws against Portugal and the sole defeat against an in-form German side.

Javier Hernandez might be the most recognised goal-scorer in this Mexico team, but his winner against South Korea was only the second he'd produced in 11 appearances and Mexico cannot rely upon him to get all the goals. Hirving Lozano opened the scoring against Germany and has been a real threat in this tournament, reportedly attracting the attention of the likes of Barca and Liverpool, and Juan Carlos Osorio cannot afford to field a weakened side with qualification not yet sealed. Coming off the back of 17 goals from 29 Eredivisie appearances for PSV this season, the man nicknamed "Chucky" has the invention to find the breakthrough.